Description

A Pair of Brothers Write to Family Shortly Before Their Deaths

Confederate Soldiers Colonel James Barbour Terrill and First
Lieutenant Philip M. Terrill Autograph Letters Signed.
Representing two of four brothers who served during the war (three
for the Confederacy, one as a general in the Union Army), these two
letters were written shortly before each man was killed.

The earliest, a three page letter, 5.5" x 9.25", written by Col.
James B. Terrill to his father, Col. William Henry Terrill, from
the headquarters of the 13th Virginia Infantry on April 12, 1864,
discusses the upcoming Overland Campaign - "which is profound in
its import to us all." Terrill writes, in part: "It is not
yet generally understood whether the attack will be made by Lee or
Grant; should the attack be made by Gen Grant it is more than
probable that it will surpass in size anything of the kind in which
the 'Army of Northern Va' has ever participated. Gen. Early has
expressed his intentions to push my regiment 'in up to the hat
band' We will all however have our full share of whatever may
occur. My regiment will be at least (350) strong excluding
recruits. The Engineer Corps is now busily engaged strengthening
& increasing the defences [sic] of our present
line. . . . It is rumored that a portion of Gen Polk's corps is in
this vicinity, having recently arrived from the west." Col.
Terrill was killed six weeks later at the Battle of Bethesda
Church. He was posthumously promoted to brigadier general.

The later letter, four integral pages, 5.25" x 8", written to by
Lt. Philip M. Terrill to Dr. George P. Terrill (the brother of
James and Philip and commander in a Confederate militia and home
guard unit) from the camp of the 12th Virginia Cavalry near
Forestville, Virginia, on October 22, 1864, discusses the army's
recent defeats during Sheridan's Valley Campaign, particularly the
recent Battle of Cedar Creek three days earlier, in part: "Since
arriving here, we have scarcely had a day of rest, & have
experienced nothing but reverses & disaster. You have doubtless
heard of the rout of Early's Army on the 19th inst. [Cedar
Creek] after successfully surprising the enemy & carrying
everything before them 'till a late hour in the day. . . . This
time there can be no question as to whom we should impute the
fault. Genl. Early's place was admirable as the success in the
morning proves. There was no giving way of the Cavalry on the
flanks. It was the cowardice of the Infantry & nothing else
that lost the day & with it, the fruits of the morning's
victory. Our command was on the left of the army & performed
its part. Our loss was very slight, principally from artillery fire
- we were not closely engaged at any time during the day with the
exception of a charge the 11th Regt. made upon one of the Enemy's
Batteries. . . . This is the third engagement I have participated
in since we came to the Valley - and though we have been
unsuccessful . . . I still feel thankful that the hand of
Providence has been outstretched to shield me from harm & that
I am still spared to the service of my country in the hour of her
sorest need." Unfortunately, time was running out for Philip
Terrill. He was killed three weeks later near Winchester,
Virginia.

The fourth brother, mentioned above, was Union Gen. William R.
Terrill, a career U.S. soldier who had served during the Seminole
Wars and in Bleeding Kansas before the Civil War. He was the first
of the brothers killed after sustaining a mortal wound from a shell
fragment at the Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862. Only George
Terrill survived the war. Both letters show the expected folds and
age toning.

Learn about consigning with us

The pre and post sales experience was wonderful and flawless. Heritage has the best in-house operation I have ever seen and their people are not only professional but fun to work with, especially Steve C.

As for Heritage's online system… Yes the interface is more complex than what we are used to with SAN but what is behind that interface is amazing for sellers and buyers alike. It is real time and for a real serious auction buyer there is nothing better in the auction industry, bar none.
Ron Cipolla,AZ